Final answer:
An effective workshop facilitator should agree on the process and participants with the workshop owner, employ a transdisciplinary approach, and manage interpersonal dynamics. They foster community engagement, ensuring all stakeholders are informed and involved in the project's evolution, adapting their facilitation style to the community's needs.
Step-by-step explanation:
An effective workshop facilitator must engage in several best practices to ensure the success of a workshop. Firstly, it's crucial to agree on the process and participants with the workshop owner beforehand. While the facilitator should not act as a proxy for an absent participant, it is their role to involve essential team members and ensure all voices are heard, provided they contribute positively to the goals of the workshop. The decision of whether to involve the whole project team depends on the workshop's specific objectives and expected outcomes.
Part of a facilitator's responsibility is to have a transdisciplinary approach, applying not only their theatre-making skills but also their abilities in education, therapy, social work, or other relevant fields, as necessary. A successful facilitator balances aesthetics with social issues and manages complex interpersonal dynamics. In doing so, they foster an environment for community engagement and enhance participant buy-in, working with community stakeholders to inform and evolve the project.
At the core of the role is the ability to listen, adapt facilitation styles, and use techniques such as storytelling and active listening to address sensitive matters, resolve disagreements, and drive the community project forward.